Betty Jane McKenney Starost

Born April 27, 1932 in Cincinnatus, New York to Clyde and Ruth Beach, Betty was one of 10 children. She graduated class of 1949 at Cincinnatus Central School. She worked as a MA Bell Telephone Operator in the 1950s. She then worked in banking for many years, starting in 1985 as a customer service representative for Seacoast Utilities in Jupiter, Florida, and retiring in 1997.

During her 34 year marriage to Leander "Andy" McKenney, they raised four children, lived in three different countries, and five different states. During this time, Andy was in the Air Force; after retiring from the military, Andy worked as a golf course superintendent. Mom always made sure that each move went smoothly and that none of us were missing anything. Our parents remained close after their divorce in 1989 and always had a special bond until her death.

In September 1997 she married James Starost, whom she worked with at seacoast utilities. They shared a love for traveling after retiring together. They enjoy trips to Europe and back to Michigan and Indiana to see family every summer. After Jim's death in July 2004, Mom continued to travel with her sisters. She survived a botched spine surgery and Hurricane Frances in 2004. After rebuilding her home and taking the time to enjoy it for a few years, she decided in 2011 to move back to Michigan to be close to her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by her children, Steven (Jody) McKenney, Vicki (William) Kemp, Cathy (Michael) McKay, Cindy (John) Toomey; grandchildren, Cory (Marie) McKenney, Jonathan (Jennifer) Kemp, Jeremy (Sarah) Kemp, Matthew (Vickie) Akin, Brittany Akin, Joshua Franzel; great-grandchildren, Colton, Emma, and Clayton McKenney, and Kelsey, Keegan, Kilian, and Kamille Akin.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Starost.

Funeral Services will be held at 3pm on Friday, June 4, 2021 at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, DeWitt Chapel, 205 E. Washington St. in DeWitt. Visitation will be held from 1pm until 3pm at the funeral home, and luncheon will follow the service.